Stamping-block



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1. DAVIS. v STAMPING BLOCK.

No. 515,047. Patented Feb. 20, 1894.

I Nrrnn STATES Arena nines,

STAMPING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,047, dated February 20, 1894.

Application filed April 25, 1893. Serial N0. 471,793 (No modem To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenfield, in the county of Hancock and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamping-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to stamping blocks and more particularly to that class of stamping blocks which are adapted more especially to be used in post-office's, where the post-master is called upon to cancel or postmark a large number of letters or other mail matter, and it has for its object to provide a convenient, simple and cheap device whereby the operation of stamping may be quickly and easily performed, and the apparatus be ready for immediate use, and to these ends, my invention consists in a device embodying the general features of construction and arrangement, substantially as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a perspective view of a stamping block, showing the lid of the type case closed; and Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, showing the type case open.

It is well known that post-masters are required to cancel 7 the stamps and postmark the mail matter passing through their offices, and this is usually accomplished by means of a stamp which is grasped in the hand, carrying suitable type, printing, or canceling devices on its end, by which the stamps are canceled and the mail matter marked, and the object of the present invention is to provide a device for the convenient reception of the stamp and for the convenient operation of stamping the matter, andl have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings although it will be understood that the details of construction and arrangement may be varied, without departing from the principle of my invention.

The stamping block (as I have termed the whole device) consists essentially of a case A, which may be made of any suitable material, but preferably is made of hard wood, having the surface properly finished, as this makes a light and substantial case, well adapted for the purpose intended. The central portion of the case provides a compartment B for the stamping pad, and while this pad may be variously made, I prefer to provide a base 0, of stone, marble, or similar material, which fits the compartment B, and forms a substantial body or base, on which the stamping can be done. This base supports a pad D, which is made of some elastic material, preferably of thick rubber, and this is provided with a suitable cover D, such as calf-skin, and the whole forms a substantial, level and convenient stamping surface or pad.

The box or case is extended to form a compartment E for the reception of the ink pad E and this may also be provided with a stone or other base E, although any other suitable base may be used, as a block of wood, or the like; while the ink pad E which consists of some absorbent material, such as felt or the like, is supported in the compartment, the projecting edges 6, serving to retain it in place.

Extending from one side of the base, is a compartment F and this is shown as having slanting sides F, and preferably with a flat top F and connected to this isahinged cover F F. This cover when closed, as shown in Fig. 1, furnishes a convenient inclined or slanting rest for the letters or other mail matter to be stamped; while the compartment furnishes a convenient receptacle for the stamps themselves,and I preferably provide longitudinal boxes or cases F near the top thereof, for the reception of the movable type to be used in the stamps, and it will be observed that the type and stamps can be protected from the influence of the elements when not in use and at the same time be convenient and handy for adjustment and use.

On the opposite side of the base, I provide a compartment G and the outer side is extended and forms a projection G which serves to prevent the letters or other mail matter from slipping off the block. The whole case is preferably supported on rubber feet H which offer a substantial support and still tend to absorb the jars due to the blows of the operator, preventing noise and relieving the arm of the operator from the effects of striking a solid and immovable mass.

Such being the general features of construction of my device,its operation will be clearly understood, and it Will be seen that in use the letters may be inclined against the slanting portion F of the coverand moved into stamping position, one by one, on the pad D, and as soon as it is properly stamped, it is pulled forward until its front edge falls into the compartment G, with its rear side extending upward, so that as the next letter is stamped and drawn forward, it will naturally slide under the raised end of the preceding letter in compartment G in the rear of the first, thus causing the letters to nest themselves in the compartment, until it is full, when they may be readily removed, and the stamping continued. It will thus be seen that the stamping block provides an exceedingly simple, complete and effective device for the purpose intended.

What I claim is-- I 1. A stamping block, comprising a stamping pad, an inclined rest at one end of the pad, and an open receptacle at the opposite end of the pad; substantially as described.

2. A stamping block, comprising a stamping pad, an inclined rest atone end, an open receptacle at the other end, and an ink pad receptacle at one side; substantially as described.

3. A stamping block, comprising a case, a stamping pad composed of a base piece supporting an elastic pad, a compartment for the reception of the inking pad, an inclined rest, and an open receptacle; substantially as described.

4. A stamping block, comprising acase having a stamping pad consisting of astone base and a rubber, skin-covered pad resting thereon, a compartmentsupporting the inking pad, arranged at one side of the stamping pad, a compartment for the reception of the stamp and having an inclined cover arranged at one end of the pad, and an open receptacle oarranged at the other end of the pad; substantially as described.

, In testimony whereof I have signed my 45 name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC DAVIS. 

